Woman before Longford court accused of involving juvenile in ‘theft operation’

A mother of eight who stands accused of having involved a juvenile in her attempt to steal €150 worth of clothes from Dealz in Longford Town has been remanded on continuing bail until April 21 to allow time for a probation report to be prepared. 

A recent sitting of Longford District Court heard how on April 17, 2024, Ann McDonagh, with an address of 27 Treanmore, Mohill, Leitrim, entered Dealz in Market Square accompanied by a juvenile. She then placed the clothes into the bag before passing it to the juvenile. Both were then seen leaving the shop without paying. Ms McDonagh has pleaded guilty to the theft. 

Outlining the facts of the case, Sergeant Enda Daly said the store manager “recognised the adult as the defendant” and that he was therefore “satisfied with her identity.” Sgt Daly said the defendant and the juvenile “left the scene in a gold coloured car and when the manager checked the store cameras, found that clothes to the value of over €100 had been taken. CCTV was supplied to the Gardaí.”  

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He added that the property had not been recovered nor had there been any attempt made to pay. When asked if Ms McDonagh had any previous convictions, the sergeant replied “none”. Representing the accused was solicitor Aoife Kelly who requested the court “consider directing a probation report in the matter”.  

In response, Judge Bernadette Owens agreed to direct that a probation report be conducted but added, “Ms Kelly, one aspect of this case concerns me hugely, and that is the involvement of a juvenile in this operation, which is what it sounds like, an operation. Ms McDonagh can expect it’s something I will be looking at in the probation report to see how she addresses that issue.” 

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Ms Kelly told the court that her client was a mother of eight children, three of whom remain dependent on her. 

“We can deal with all of that when we get the probation report,” Judge Owens replied.   

Ann McDonagh is scheduled to appear before Longford District Court on April 17. 

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